Perception Showdown Pedal Kayak Walkthrough
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
Since I’ve been fishing off of it lately, I figured I’d give you all a Perception Showdown Pedal Kayak Walkthrough!!
It is a sit-on-top kayak with a pedal drive and I’ve enjoyed using it so far.
Get a closer look in the video here!
Perception Showdown Pedal Kayak [VIDEO]
Find NEW Saltwater Fishing Spots In Your Area In 60 Seconds or Less!!!
The kayak itself is 11.5 feet long, weighs about 90 pounds, and it is 36 inches wide.
These kayaks retail for about $2300.
That is on the lower end for pedal kayaks.
This one in particular has a pedal drive system so you can easily move forward and in reverse.
Standard Kayak Features
Up front, you don’t have a hatch but there is a hard bag that comes standard with the kayak.
You can even remove this bag and use it for your tackle or additional storage.
There is a paddle park on the bag for quick use of the paddle if you are standing or sitting.
Another thing to note is this bag is NOT waterproof and water can get in through the zippers.
Moving toward the middle of the kayak, there is some padding underneath the pedals for your feet.
That helps when standing and fishing which is absolutely no issue on this kayak.
There is also a console in the middle for any customizations or attachments.
In this case, I mounted a small phone holder there for quick access.
The phone holder I use is from RAM Mounts and it is the X-Grip.
If you pull that piece off, the prop is underneath.
The prop on this kayak is completely concealed and folds into the hull.
If needed, you can fish super skinny water.
Mounts & Rear Features
On either side of the kayak, there are metal tracks to mount additional attachments and gear.
Metal tracks are much better than plastic tracks because metal tracks maintain a firm connection.
Plastic tracks run the risk of your gear popping out because it is not as secure.
I attached paddle clips from Railblaza on either side.
They are perfect for securing the anchor stick to the side of the kayak.
Then on the other side, the paddle is clipped in.
You always want to have a paddle with you even on a pedal drive kayak.
If something happens to the pedals, you need a way back to your launch site.
The seat is made of mesh and it’s big and comfortable.
It clips into the base with bungees to keep it secure.
The base also slides forward and back so you can adjust to the pedals and sit comfortably.
Off to the left are the rudder control and space for additional tackle boxes.
There is space for tackle on both sides as well as more rod holders.
There are 4 total rod holders and they are angled backward to stay out of the way of your casts.
The tank well area in the back is big with plenty of space.
You can safely secure your tackle box or cooler there.
Then there is the rudder as well as a hatch to access the rudder in case you need to.
Personal Customizations
The first thing I added to the kayak was an anchor trolley.
This is critical to adjust your position while anchored up.
You’re pretty much limited to facing one direction in a kayak so I try to have any advantage I can get.
An anchor trolley allows you to anchor toward the front or back of the vessel.
I also added an extra track on the back of the kayak for more stability in storing the anchor pin.
Then on the very back, I added an additional mount for my light post if I am out fishing in super low light or rough conditions.
The Perception Showdown is a great budget-friendly kayak if you’re in the market for a pedal-drive watercraft.
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Related categories:
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Hey, thanks for the Video. I fish Canada pacific ocean for Salmon, I am a 6’3″ 250lb guy, do you think this would work for me ?. I will not be standing in it, but stability and safety is important because the water is a little cooler up here 🙂
Hey Bruce! I don’t think I would use this kayak out in the ocean. The seat sits pretty high which can make balancing in rough water a little more difficult. It is also somewhat of a wet ride in choppy water.
Thanks Tony for the review. Ive been waiting to pull the trigger on a pedal kayak. This maybe an option for me without going broke.
Do you have a retailer you use?
Hey I got a 13.5 old town predator that I buy from Facebook Market place. I paid 1600 is in really good shape. I don’t see any reviews of that kayak here. My question is if the old town predator is a good kayak or was a bad idea to purchase this kayak?
You got a great deal! Old Town makes great kayaks.
Have you had any issues with tracking on yours? I recently picked one up and it refuses to go straight
Hey Alex!
Yes it was pretty bad when I first got it but noticed the cables/strings to the rudder were a bit loose(had slack and play in them). Be sure those cables at either side of the rudder are snug so there isn’t a lot of wiggle room or play in the rudder.
Looks like an incredible tool to help get to great fishing spots.
I always tell people if you can use anything to get off land, you’ll increase your catching tremendously. Even if it’s an old beat up kayak you find for sale used. Opens up a lot more spots to fish!
Nice kayak Tony! I just got it’s little brother, the Perception Outlaw. It is very similar other than it has no pedal drive. I put a trolling motor on it. The Showdown bow bag will actually fit the Outlaw as well, but that is where I am putting my fish cooler at the moment. I love the angled rear rod holders! I like the way you mounted the anchor pin there, I need to do something similar.
Thanks Darren! Those rod holders are great. I usually have to spend extra $$ for additional rod holders as most kayaks come with 2 or none at all.
Yea I havent used my yak in years because guana reserviour just hasn’t been the same and that’s where I used my yak the most plus because it was in storage for so long the fins ( a hobbie outback 2010 model) dry rotted and crumbled into nothing I just use my Carolina skiff and can get plenty shallow with it when needed and to me now days I think it’s utterly ridiculous to pay thousands of dollars for a piece of plastic back when I bought my first hobbie in 08 they were about 1600 bucks then when I bought my 2010 model it was 1800 now good God they want for that same yak about 3 grand that’s nuts but that’s my point of view I’m old fashioned and now days to me common sence is gone like the dinosaurs oh and by the way I thought you fished in a hobbie? Actually I remember when you first became a coach you used a ocean kayak or at least I thought it was then finally you bought a boat can’t spell the name of it but know it started with the letter g you must have a very large house with alot of storage room for all your fishing machines me im simple my boat goes into the garage just right and it’s all I need im probably going to donate my yak because with the peddledrive not working I doubt if anyone would buy it and also I looked into getting replacement fins and of coarse they dont make those anymore anyways thanks for the info but I’ll stick to what’s been paid for for at least 4 years now and it’s now 10 years old but runs smooth as butter and all you do for saltstrong😉👍
Kayaks have definitely increased in price over the years! I remember my first one I had was a 14ft Perception Pescador. Paid $400 for it new and it saw a ton of fish. After that I had the Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game 2. That was the first kayak I could stand up in and that changed the game. Next kayak was the Jackson Coosa FD. That was a nightmare having the drive replaced almost 6 times under warranty. After that was the Hobie Outback which has been my favorite kayak to date. I sold the Hobie to get the Gheenoe I have now. I can’t go without a kayak though so I ended up getting this one to try out something different.
Tony can you do a breakdown of the total cost of the kayak with your accessories? Do you have any suggestions based on costs from 1k up to 4k? I would be interested to see what your best picks would be – if you could put together a grid list similar to an Excel spreadsheet of your recommendations with their features that would be helpful.
Hey Steven!
Here’s a quick breakdown of everything I have there:
Kayak: $2250
Railblaza Paddle Clips: $80 (4 total at $20 each)
Anchor trolley: $36
Anchor Pin: $80
Yakattack Rod Holder: $40
Ram Mount X-Grip Phone holder: $45
Bending Branches Ace Angler Paddle: $212
Rough total = $2,743
Keep in mind most of these accessories insiders get a discount on as well. Those prices are regular retail prices.
I could definitely put together a “cheat sheet” of recommended kayak gear and accessories!
Tony, may I ask what length Stick It Pin you are using on the kayak please?
Hey Joseph! It’s 7ft
Thank you for the quick response Tony. And all the work you do to make us better anglers!
For the same $$, the w/s recon 120 has more dry storage and a larger area for gear in the back. Would like to see the scupper hole placement on the perception.
the recon is a bit of a barge to paddle when the peddle unit has to be up(real shallow water)
Hey Eric! Definitely a few other options out there! I can’t say there’s really one perfect yak as we all have different preferences on brands, layouts, propulsion types, etc. As for the scupper holes, there are a couple under the seat near the rear tank, one on each side of the pedal drive on the deck, and one in the middle rear of the front tank.